- December 5, 2019
No one wants to spend the holidays in the hospital or at home recuperating. Unfortunately, this is just what many road users experience. The December holiday season is one of the most dangerous times to be on the road. More vehicles are making their way around the city for both long trips and last-minute dashes to the mall. Drivers are fatigued, distracted, stressed and even intoxicated. It’s not surprising that more Greenville car accidents occur. That’s why it’s important to take precautions. Here are some tips on how you can stay safe over the Christmas and New Year’s Eve holidays.
Adhere to the Speed Limit
Every driver knows that speeding is both dangerous and against the law. However, even individuals who usually follow the rules can disregard them during the holidays. Maybe you’re late for the airport or you need to go to the store for one last ingredient. Whatever the case, you may find yourself driving above the speed limit. If you want to improve your chances of avoiding an accident, stay within the speed limit. Speeding is one of the leading causes of Greenville car accidents and fatalities. It puts the lives of the driver and other road users in jeopardy.
Don’t Get Distracted by Your Phone
Smartphones are extremely useful; this can’t be disputed. However, they can be very dangerous when you’re driving. Resist the urge to pick up your phone if someone calls or sends you an email. You definitely shouldn’t start to type a message. If you need to use your phone for navigation, enter your start and end points before you start to drive. Distracted driving leads to thousands of injuries and fatalities every year. Put the phone if the glove box or backseat if you need to.
Don’t Drink and Drive
Alcoholic beverages are served at many holiday events. If you plan to drink, make sure you have a designated driver. In cases where you don’t plan ahead, take a cab or ask someone sober to collect you. Drinking and driving is highly risky. Someone dies in a drunk driving accident every 48 minutes in the United States. This means more than 10,000 lives are lost to drunk driving every year. Even when those involved survive, their injuries can be serious. You should never drive when intoxicated, even if you’re a short distance from home.
Look out for Intoxicated Drivers
Even if you stay sober, you’ll be sharing the roads with people who got behind the wheel after a few drinks. You need to keep an eye out for them so you can get out of the way if possible. Drunk drivers swerve erratically, cross the center lines, and generally act irresponsibly. Pull over if you can or ask your passenger to contact law enforcement. This can help to save lives. The last thing you want is to have to call a Greenville car accident attorney on Christmas Eve.
Don’t Assume You Know What a Driver Will Do
Drivers don’t always do what you expect them to. Don’t assume a driver will stop or turn even when it’s the obvious thing to do. Even if the traffic lights are green, look both ways in case someone runs a red light.
Remain Awake and Alert
If you have to drive a long distance, give yourself enough time to travel safely. Make sure you take breaks and don’t drive when you’re drowsy. Drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving, so you need to take it seriously. It helps to have someone with you who can keep things lively or take over the driving when necessary.
Take it Easy!
The holidays can bring out the worst in people. Try to keep your emotions in check regardless of what is happening. Rushing or thinking about your problems can prevent you from paying attention to what is going on around you. Even if other drivers do frustrating things, do your best to stay calm. Tailgating or giving into road rage can have disastrous consequences.
Contact a Greenville Car Wreck Attorney If You Get into an Accident
Planning for the holidays isn’t only about deciding where you’ll go and what you’ll do. You also need to think about how you’ll navigate the increased road hazards. This reduces the chances of getting involved in Greenville car accidents. Of course, this doesn’t mean you won’t fall victim to a negligent driver. If despite all your precautions, you get hurt because of someone else’s actions, contact a car accident lawyer in South Carolina. At Hernandez & Cabra, we will do everything we can to assist you. Schedule a free consultation today!
